TOLEDO, Ohio — The death of 15-year-old DeAsia Green has community activists like Shawn Mahone Sr calling for a community-wide effort from youth and parents on how to prevent further tragedies.
Mahone uses boot camp programs to help the kids who he says make unhealthy choices in life. And in order for it to work, there needs to be a buy-in by the parents and the kids.
He said Green was an alum of one of his programs within the last year and pained him to learn of her death, which is being investigated as a homicide.
"That mother has tried to do everything possible to save her child's life," Mahone said. "Unfortunately her child would run away all the time, and the police would bring her back home."
Mahone said the city needs to hear from community members about the problems they face.
"There needs to be a community-wide conversation," he said. "That means bringing parents to a facility where we can hash these problems out."
And the City of Toledo is trying to make those conversations a regular event. The city's Youth Services Division is hosting "Youth Be Heard": a listening series where Toledo kids and adolescents can discuss how to become fulfilled adults.
"We need to really listen to youth," Youth Services Commissioner Danielle Cisterino said. "We need to gather their input on what it is they think is the best type of services for them."
The division had to cancel a session Tuesday night due to a lack of participation, but Cisterino hopes future sessions can attract a larger group.
The next session is planned for Jan. 25 at the East Toledo Family Center from 5-7 p.m. Registration is required.